Shop At Moxie

hudson bay blanket inspiration

2012-05-01T14:18:22-05:00

Take one of these vintage Hudson Bay point blankets (this one just arrived at moxie)

and do something like this ...

or, how about this ...

I have a particular fondness for vintage blankets. I've got about 40 of them and I use many of them. I've been collecting for about 15 years. Mostly patterned and camp blankets from the 40s and 50s. I've never kept the striped ones but after seeing some of these cool ideas ... hmmmm maybe I should re-think that. That being said I did just drop off the striped one at the top of this post and I hope it finds it's way to a happy new home soon!

Downton Abbey - I came late to the party

2012-04-30T08:48:15-05:00

It's not that I hadn't heard about Downton Abbey from many of my friends... I had. But for whatever reason the discs stayed buried on our Netflix Queue for months (thanks mister moxie)! I guess the words "Masterpiece Classic" scared him off. Well, I finally took the situation into my own hands and moved the first two discs of Downton to the top of our queue.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday night were devoted to the viewing of disc one and two. And Sunday when I finished off disc two I found myself waving my hands in the air dramatically lamenting the fact that I did NOT have the smarts to put the final disc of season one at the top of the list as well. I had put another movie in position three to appease the mister in case the series was a total snooze fest. But I'm happy to report that he loved it as much as I did.

I was drawn into the characters, the clothing, the hats, the architecture and set decoration immediately. So much visual stimulation. I was in heaven! All of this is probably super old news to all of you, but just in case you, for whatever reason, haven't gotten the chance to see Downton Abbey yet .... give it a try. I think you'll love it!!

We don't seem to get lucky enough to find any actual Edwardian clothing or hats at moxie, but we do find some pretty spectacular vintage hats from the 40s thru the 60s. Here is a little peek at some I dropped off yesterday. If you get invited to a Downton viewing party .... let us help you get all dressed up!

egads! there's a dummy in my car!

2012-04-02T15:12:58-05:00

Starting this story at the point where I almost had a heart attack when I caught a glimpse of "Mr Marbles" in the back seat of my car would be fun but I think you need to hear the story from the beginning to realize how dumb , or should we just say severely memory challenged I am.

So let's go back about 5 hours. It's friday morning and estate sale is just opening. I head to the second floor as I usually do to check out the bedrooms looking for vintage clothing and accessories. I head into the closet of first bedroom I see and find "Mr. Marbles" staring up at me from the floor. He is dressed nicely in a black suit with a bow tie but he is eerily staring at me. He is smiling but his smile is hiding something quite spooky and sinister. I can't help but to stare back. Next thing you know I think we're having a who can not blink the longest contest. (he won). I'm supposed to be looking for clothing and I can't take my eyes off of Mr. Marbles. Finally I see that he is wearing a big sticker that says $5.00. Knowing I'm wasting time in this creepily mesmerized state I picked him up and literally threw him into my shopping bag. Let me tell you, I don't think he liked that! I could just tell by the way he was looking at me. I tried to silence his stares by putting a vintage fedora over his face. This worked for awhile but somehow his empty eyes and false smile kept re-surfacing. I ignored him and kept on shopping. By the time I got to the check out lady he was at the bottom of the bag. The estate sale lady had me unload the bag so she could ring me out and when I set Mr. Marbles on the counter she said "oh thank God someone is buying that thing, I want to get him out of here!" I had a moment of panic ... why am I buying this ventriloquist dummy... why does she want him out ... has he been staring at her too?? ... is this a toy or a creature of the night? And then I proceeded to pay for him anyway and promptly set him on top of the box she had given me to put my stuff in.

End of story right? Not really. So I have a box that I'm carrying out to the car. Both hands are on the outside of the box. Nowhere near Mr. Marbles. And as I'm going out the door onto the porch his head pops off of his body and drops to the porch stairs and as if it was in slow motion tumbles from step to step to step and lands in the yard face up. So now I have Mr Marble's head on the ground and his body in the box. Another shopper picks up his head to assist me as I am still with my arms full and as she sets his head back in the box she says "creepy" and then walks away. Is she saying creepy because his head flew off or is it some sort of passive aggressive assessment of me because I bought the darn thing. I'll never know. I did manage to finally get the box into the back seat of my car right behind the drivers seat and then headed off to the next sale on my list.

Had a great ol time for the next 4 or 5 hours of shopping and finally got down to the business of picking up some groceries. Pushed my shopping cart right up to the back door to load them in (trunk was full of vintage) and as I was putting my hand on the door handle I caught a glimpse of Mr Marbles looking thru the glass at me and being the highly excitable creature that I am ... scared the poop right out of myself and scared the cart collector right next to me too. He said "you ok m'am" as I finished my mini scream. How do you begin to tell a teenage boy cart collector that you are fine, but you were just shocked to see a menacing little ventriloquist dummy in the back of your car. You don't. You just say ... yes I'm fine. And then like a weirdo you get in your car with your little creepy friend in the back seat and drive away.

P.S ... Mr Marbles is the name of the ventriloquist dummy that Kramer had on Seinfeld and that's how my new friend got his name.

My husband, brother-in-law and two nephews got a hold of Mr. Marbles this weekend and had two straight days of fun with him. Seems as if hiding him in beds, taking pictures with him and taking him out on adventures is quite the fun way to spend some time.

Here he is on Sunday getting ready to go frisbee golfing with the men-folk. So I've come around to accepting Mr Marbles into the family. Because there would be quite a few of the family members who would miss him if he was gone. And for only 5 dollars ... well I guess he was worth it.

bedroom remodel part 2

2012-03-27T12:49:30-05:00

Awhile back we decided to paint our bedroom and give it a spruce up. Initially I planned on a gray and yellow color theme .... BUT then I realized that I can NEVER keep to a minimalist theme of any kind. I like color way too much and everything I own and love is pretty much in bright happy colors.

So, yellow and gray turned into anything goes! Like usual.

We found this cotton quilt at Marshalls and I fell in love with it. The mister is so dang sweet he just lets me have my decorating way without putting up a fuss. Then we got in silk chindi rugs at moxie and I had to have one of those (all of those colors = awesome).

My favorite vintage suitcase mirrored the flowers in the quilt and then in a stroke of luck we found just the right curtain panels at Ikea with similar mod floral motif. And while at Ikea we also picked up the birch blinds for the windows.

The two chest of drawers were picked up at an estate sale about 3 years ago and were a grayish drab brown color. We obviously painted them a marigold and I love them much more now. I wish I could say that they were filled with clothes but instead can reveal that they are filled to maximum capacity with vintage books and ephemera. Waiting for future projects. The red and blue floral is one of my favorite vintage paintings. I've had it for about 10 years. It has lived in various rooms of the house and will probably move a few more times as the spirit moves me.

The jewelry holder is just a lamp base that I painted after realizing it had been sitting in our basement for about 14 years waiting to get re-wired. It used to be dull gold. You can transform just about anything with some paint!

You can probably tell that we don't like a lot of pillows on the bed. We are just weird like that. The first thing I do when traveling is take all of the pillows off the hotel bed and pile them up and put a note on them saying please do not put back on the bed. Too much clutter for me. They look good in theory ... put really just get in my way. On the subject of pillows ... my man and I are totally addicted to Tempurpedic pillows. Best 120 dollars each (Yikes) we've ever spent. I wouldn't have believed it until I tried it but always had big problems with neck pain and now none!

So the room is pretty much complete. We are still looking for a matched pair of danish modern bedside tables and a low Danish modern credenza/dresser for the wall not shown in these photos that will actually hold clothing. Right now all clothing is stored in a dresser inside of the closet and we each have our own closet since we live in a big ol house and it's just the two of us. We got rid of the tv we had in here (I won that battle) and I can say I don't miss it at all.

Thanks for letting me share my photos. Have a happy week! mm

flying crinolines

2012-03-22T17:23:28-05:00

Yes, on any given day you might find me outside of my house winging vintage crinolines into the air while spastically trying to capture a mid-air photo with the other hand. No helpers just crazy me running in circles under vintage undergarments. And that is why I'm sure in my neighborhood we are most likely referred to as the house where that lady is always outside doing strange things.

The day did not start out with a plan to toss a petticoat... it just happened. I decided to take some vintage costumes and the pink petticoat outside to get a few snaps of them to share on the blog and the next thing I knew I became weirdly obsessed with seeing it float thru the air. I'd like to say this photo happened on one try but I'd be lying! I think I took about 25 photos and I had to throw it up really high to give myself enough time to get a photo so I had to build up momentum by holding the petticoat in my left hand and swinging it back and forth until I could really send it up with gusto. A good show for all of the sweet college kids walking past our house. I'd swear one guy almost fell off of his bike he was so mesmerized by my actions.

These old dance costumes have seen better days but they are frothy and delicious to look at. They are stained and I think the zippers need repair but how darned cute to hang on the wall or use for dress up.

This is the pink petticoat. The ruffles are dreamy. The top of it is really stretched out so I just rubber-banded it at the top and then it turned into a pink confection. I could see this fashioned into a light shade or a hanging pom pom. Of course you could just re-elasticize the top and use it as intended as well. Our weeping cherry trees made the best back drop. They are gorgeous in bloom but the blooms drop fast so I was happy to spend some time outside with them today. Flowering trees make me happy.

On a totally separate note... I will be sending out a coupon email blast tonight. Yay coupon!! So if you are not on our email list and would like to be just send me an "add to list" email at moxienews@aol.com. Easy peasy. And we now have a Pinterest "Pin It" button on this blog. If you'd like to pin any of my photos feel free to and know that I'm honored if you do. The Pin It button is underneath the posts. Have a great weekend everyone!

celebrate good times C'mon!

2012-03-08T13:38:37-06:00

.... there's a party goin' on right here!

I must be getting old because I've spent many a moment in the last six weeks grumbling to myself about the cold weather and gray skies getting me down (chronic arthritic back + cold = cranky me) and we've had one of the mildest winters ever here in Chicago so that kind of worries me. But I am fighting the blues off with color and creativity. A cure for the winter doldrums for sure. I know that Spring is just around the corner, and I decided to bring a bit of cheer and sunshine of my own making to the shop right now. I've kick started Spring in my own mind and you know what? It really worked to get me out of my winter blues. The sunshine, chirping birds and spring flowers are almost here!

Ok, I have to say that these pull toys from France might just be the cutest things I've seen in many moons. If you see me running thru the shop going "wheeeeeeee" with one of these don't be surprised!

This is a true blue vintage childs dance costume. The hat is modern but the actual body suit dates back to at least the 40s. How adorable would it be to do a photo shoot of your little girl in something like this!

The SWEETEST local woman (hi Paula!) gave me a bunch of vintage cups and napkins that were part of her mom's estate. I have been saving them till now to use in a proper setting. How fun are they???? Thanks so much Paula! And do you see that little box of vintage candles? Those are from her mom's house too. Fairy brand.... awww.

Well, I cured my winter blues and I hope I've brightened your day up a tiny bit too! Come on in and see us ... we'll have the party hats waiting!

oh desa, we LOVE her so...

2012-03-02T21:03:31-06:00

If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times. My life got infinitely better the day I met Desa Henn. I consider it one of my life's greatest gifts to have the good fortune to work with her and to get to call her my friend. Obviously Patty feels the same as I caught her laying a big ol smooch on sweet and sassy Desa this afternoon. There is not one person that I know of who doesn't have the same love affair going on for Desa. She is 100% worthy of all the love and adulation in the world. If you've visited the second floor of moxie on a Tuesday or Friday then you most likely know exactly what I'm talking about. Not only does she work harder than any 20 year old I've met, (and we all know Desa is a young 39 and holding) but she cares SO MUCH about the shop, us her co-workers and every person who walks in the front door. There isn't much I wouldn't do for her. I don't think I've told her what to do in the 6 years she's worked with me because from day one she worked harder than I ever would dream of asking her to. We plead with her to work less actually but she'll have none of it. And if you know Desa then you know you can't tell her a thing! And that is just one of her many qualities I love! I love a girl with some sass!!

Today was an awesome day at the shop because it began with Courtney, Lisa and I getting to witness Patty giving Desa a painting she had done (just because she wanted to) of Desa's beloved mother Rista. Desa has told me many times that her mother was an angel on earth so to see her overwhelmingly positive reaction to Patty's gift brought a tear to our eyes. Life at moxie is a roller coaster .... one minute we're crying and the next minute we're dancing and today we did all of that and more.

Patty is uber talented and equally beloved by all of us. I often think that she has no idea how gifted she really is. Not just in her artistry but in her warm and gracious nature. I know this post is a love fest .... but hey, everyone deserves to know how much impact they make on your life and how incomplete your life would be without them. So there.

the best or possibly worst Valentine's Day gift ever.

2012-02-14T09:15:24-06:00

I've been making a huge effort to clean out our home closets/vintage catch-alls in the last couple of weeks. Call it a Valentine's Day gift to my husband.... lol. There is nothing he likes more than what he calls "getting rid of junk". He is so stinkin neat and me, well it's an ongoing battle with myself to keep the piles to a minimum and to not let the boxes of stuff fill up all of the rooms in our house. Some of you might think ... hey don't you have a couple of buildings you could keep your finds in?? And the answer is yes, BUT, I am one of those work very late or super early people and when the spirit moves me to take photos, clean, price, pack etc... I'm usually in pj's and slippers and that's how I like it! I don't want to go off to a big old commercial building at 4 am because that is creepy and definitely not pajama optional.

As I've been digging thru some of the boxes of stuff I'd shoved into dark recesses of our house I was recently struck by just how random my buying is and always has been. I do have a love for vintage clothing, shoes, and linens for sure, but when I'm at an estate sale I buy whatever strikes my fancy at that particular moment. And sometimes the moment never returns again. For instance, this book ....

I do remember buying it about 3 years ago. I had never bought a book on tools before and I might never again. But I'm pretty sure I opened it up and thought .... hey all of those illustrations would be pretty cool for collage projects. And then it promptly got buried in a box with other randomness on top that I was unsure what to do with and flash forward 3 years it just got drug out and is now going to the shop having had nothing done with it. I do that a lot! My husband doesn't care at all about how much I buy so long as I DO SOMETHING WITH IT!

My problem is that I have a million ideas and fashion myself some sort of future artisan/crafts person. Ssshhhh, lets not remind him about the GINORMOUS hoard of vintage beads I have hiding under the stairwell for my doubtful future as a jewelry maker! But in reality I have rarely found the time in the last 20 years to make things. And why is that? Probably because I'm too busy buying cool crap to make cool crap .... isn't that ironic!

How about this ...

See those three sticks banded together ... I bought those because there is pretty mother of pearl inlay on them and one of them has a fancy rhinestone top. I wasn't, and still am not sure if they are hair adornments of something else entirely. When I can't figure out exactly what something is the item often gets delegated to storage. Like I think the answer will come to me magically in the night. Hah! Never happens. What does happen is that I forget completely that the item exists and then months or even years later I get to like it all over again as I discover it for the second time. Sometimes (sadly) I don't have any memory of it at all. When at estate sales I buy in a whirlwind. And I never agonize over a purchase. Buy it or don't! I go with my gut. So even the same day of a sale when I unpack my finds I'm surprised by what's in the box. I'm beginning to see that this post should be entitled "Hey lady, you're crazy as heck!"

So anyhoo...I am deeply in love and like with my dear sweet husband Bob and if me cleaning out the closets and hidden recesses of our once tidy home makes his sweet self happy then by gosh that's what I'll do! After 21 plus years of marriage the love grows stronger but the gifts do certainly change. In our house there is (by request) no flowers, chocolate or heaven forbid lingerie being received by me on Valentine's Day. There will be a cozy delicious dinner, a heartfelt card and if the stars are aligned right .... the world's best back massage. I could not ask for more!

The book, mirror and pretty sticks??? are all being dropped off at moxie today. Along with .... cutest chicken platter, big green hat, vintage floral print, black floral tole tray, faux snakeskin belt, turquoise and white pyrex bowl, funky swedish tealight holder, funky cute orange floral tablecloth, 3 family creative workshop books, a small globe, vintage picture frame and more. As always if you are interested in seeing photos of what I'm bringing in on a more frequent basis please visit our Facebook page often. You the people have spoken and I have listened. You like photos!! I have been a good shop girl and have been posting pictures at least 3 to 4 times a week for a month or so. Just click the photos button on left side and it will take you to all of our recent photo albums. If you visit our page I hope you'll "Like" us. It makes us feel all happy inside when you do that. A happy Valentine's Day to you all!!!!!!!!! xoxo, Megan

snow day

2012-02-10T14:21:06-06:00

Just a little question I'm asking myself today.

black + white love

2012-02-06T18:47:06-06:00

As I was packing up some new goods for the shop today I noticed I seemed to have a color story going on. Sometimes it happens like that.

The butterfly sequin applique is about 12" tall.... huge. I just know someone will come up with a good use for it. The gloves are vintage 40s and never worn. Super soft leather. Most awesome mens shoes EVER. Hand mirror is bevelled and quite large. Would look cool hanging on the wall in a vintage inspired bathroom. The lion planter is made in Japan and looks quite like a David Stewart inspired piece. The squirrel planter is a handsome piece. Squirrel items never last long. The hat is fur and adorned with feathers. Came from a very fine estate. The mod vase with necklace is unmarked and quirky. The bird with nest is not old but would look fun with some faux eggs or a tealight.

I am also packing up 5 half gallon size blue ball jars and some other finds I can't quite remember right now. All I can say is the stuff will be rolling in as fast as I can get to it. I have so much in storage and it is time to edit, edit, edit!